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ERECTION  AND  DEDICATION 


SOLDIEKS'  AND  SAILORS'  MONUMENT 


ARMY    AND    NAVY    LOT, 


MOUNT  HOPE  CEMETERY, 


BELONGING    TO   THE 


CITY     OF     BOSTON 


-CL 


CITY  DOCUMENT  No.  80. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED    BY    ORDER   OF    THE    CITY    COUNCIL. 

1867. 


/ 


'    ^*S^****> 


CITY     OF     BOSTON 


In  Board  of  Aldermen,  July  8,  1867. 

Ordered  :  That  the  Trustees  of  Mount  Hope  Cem- 
etery be,  and  they  hereby  are,  authorized  to  present  in 
print  a  memorial  statement  of  the  services  attending  the 
dedication  of  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Monument  in 
Mount  Hope  Cemetery  on  the  3d  instant,  and  that  the 
expense  of  the  same  be  charged  to  the  appropriation  for 
printing. 

Read  twice  and  passed. 

Sent  down  for  concurrence. 

CHAS.  W.  SLACK, 

Chairman. 


Concurred, 


In  Common  Council,  July  11,  1867. 

WESTON  LEWIS, 

President. 


Approved  July  12,  1867. 

OTIS  NORCROSS, 

Mayor. 

A  true  copy. 

Attest, 

S.  F.  McCLEARY, 

City  Clerk. 


SOLDIERS'  AND   SAILORS'  MONUMENT, 


THE   INCEPTION   OF   THE   MEMORIAL. 

The  sentiments  of  the  citizens  of  Boston  were  from 
the  outset  warmly  enlisted  in  favor  of  the  most  ener- 
getic prosecution  of  the  late  war  for  nationality.  Her 
sons  were  among  the  very  first  to  proceed  to  the  earliest 
battle-grounds,  and  there  sanctify  with  their  blood  the 
great  cause  of  freedom  and  unity.  She  put  forth  the 
greatest  and  most  unceasing  effort,  during  the  whole  con- 
tinuance of  that  mighty  struggle,  to  keep  her  quotas  full; 
and  all  classes  of  the  community  gladly  united  in  sus- 
taining the  common  cause  to  the  very  last.  The  fami- 
lies of  her  soldiers,  whose  deeds  of  valor  reflected  credit 
upon  their  parent  city  in  nearly  all  the  great  battles 
that  signalized  that  momentous  period  of  the  nation's 
struggle  for  existence,  as  well  as  of  those  who  laid  down 
their  lives  for  their  principles,  were  ever  kindly  cared 
for  and  generously  maintained  by  the  municipal  govern- 
ment. Munificent  contributions  to  the  resources  of  the 
Sanitary  and  Christian  Commissions  were  never  wanting, 
especially  in  times  of  the  greatest  need ;  and  the  hospi- 
tality of  the  city  was  extended  on  manifold  occasions, 
with  boundless  liberality,  to  those  regiments  which  passed 


D  SOLDIERS   .AND    SAILORS     MONUMENT. 

through  Boston  to  their  homes  after  their  allotted  term 
of  service  had  expired.  In  short,  it  may  be  confidently 
asserted  that  no  city  in  the  Union,  throughout  the  war, 
evinced  a  more  fervent  patriotism  or  a  greater  spirit 
of  self-sacrifice  in  bearing  uncomplainingly  the  onerous 
burdens  entailed  by  a  persistent  adherence  to  the  cause 
of  loyalty  and  of  right. 

In  this  connection  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to 
mention,  in  attestation  of  the  above,  the  number  of 
soldiers  and  sailors  furnished  by  Boston  in  support  of 
the  national  cause. 

The  whole  number  of  men  credited  to  the  quota  of 
Boston  amounted  to  26,119  ;  whilst  her  expenditures  for 
"  war  expenses  "  during  the  last  seven  years  amount  to 
$2,511,387.50;  of  which  large  sum  $1,947,500.00  still 
constitutes  part  of  the  funded  debt. 

As  Mount  Hope  Cemetery  is  the  property  of  the  city 
of  Boston,  and  its  affairs  are  administered  by  a  Board  of 
Trustees,  of  whom  a  majority  are  members  of  the  City 
Council,  it  was  very  natural  that  they  should  reflect  the 
feelings  of  their  constituents,  as  well  as  carry  out  their 
own,  in  ascribing  the  greatest  meed  of  honor  and  of 
praise  to  the  brave  ones  who  had  deserved  so  well  of 
the  republic.  It  was  fitting,  indeed,  that  the  living 
soldier  should  be  greeted  with  admiring  plaudits  in 
Faneuil  Hall,  and  invited  to  partake  lavishly  of  the 
city's  hospitality,  whilst  the  Mayor  and  other  orators 
extended  to  him  the  most  nattering  welcome  ;  but  those 
humble  men  who,  mostly  "  unhonored  and  unsung," 
had  found  their  final  resting-place  in  Mount  Hope, 
appeared  to  the   Trustees, in    office   in    1865    to  have 


SOLDIERS     AND    SAILORS     MONUMENT.  7 

the  strongest  claims  to  recognition  at  their  hands,  and 
they  felt  their  memories  should  be  rescued  from  unde- 
served oblivion.  A  number  of  these  had  already  been 
interred  in  the  cemetery ;  some  belonged  to  other  parts 
of  the  country,  and  even  to  foreign  lands,  so  that  no 
relatives  or  friends  were  eager  and  anxious  to  cause  the 
record  of  their  faithful  life  and  honorable  death  to  be 
transmitted  to  posterity  in  a  permanent  form.  Their 
graves,  therefore,  remained  undesignated  by  any  device 
calculated  to  remind  the  passer-by  of  the  fact  that  the 
remains  of  some  Union  soldier  or  sailor  were  there 
buried,  perhaps  at  his  very  feet. 

Actuated  by  these  views  and  feelings,  the  Board  of 
Trustees  for  the  above-mentioned  year  determined  to 
address  themselves  to  the  City  Council  for  appropria- 
tions sufficient  to  enable  them  to  erect  a  durable  memo- 
rial which  should  forever  after  evince  the  lasting  respect 
and  esteem  felt  by  the  city  of  Boston  for  those  who  had 
died  for  the  Union;  feeling  certain  that  the  government 
would  not  decline  to  authorize  an  expenditure  of  public 
money  in  so  deserving  a  cause.  It  is  hardly  necessary 
to  mention  in  this  place  that  these  expectations  were 
entirely  fulfilled,  and  that  the  different  requests  detailed 
below  were  always  complied  with  in  the  most  cordial 
and  unhesitating  spirit. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  1865,  the  following  order  was 
passed  by  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and,  after  having  been 
unanimously  concurred  in  by  the  Common  Council,  was 
approved  by  His  Honor  the  Mayor,  Frederic  W. 
Lincoln,  Jr.,  July  8,  the  same  having  been  presented  to 
the  Board  by  Alderman  Charles  F.  Dana,  who  was  at 


O  SOLDIERS     AND    SAILORS     MONUMENT. 

that  time  the  Chairman  of  the  Trustees  of  Mount  Hope 
Cemetery : 

Ordered,  That  the  Trustees  of  Mount  Hope  Cemetery  be,  and 
they  hereby  are,  instructed  to  select  forthwith  a  lot  in  the 
cemetery  in  a  suitable  location,  and  cause  the  same  to  be 
properly  graded  and  prepared,  said  lot  not  to  contain  less  than 
2500  square  feet,  and  to  be  known  henceforth  as  the 

"SOLDIERS'    LOT." 

On  the  completion  of  the  same,  the  Trustees .  will  cause  the 
remains  of  the  soldiers  deposited  at  the  present  time  in  the  lot 
in  the  cemetery  appropriated  for  that  purpose  to  be  removed  to 
the  Soldiers'  Lot,  and  there  interred ;  and  a  sum  not  exceeding 
five  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated,  to  be  charged  to 
the  appropriation  for  Military  Expenses,  for  the  purpose  of 
suitably  enclosing  said  Soldiers'  Lot  and  erecting  a  proper 
memorial-shaft  thereon  —  the  same  to  be  prepared  under  the 
joint  supervision  of  the  Committee  on  Cemeteries,  the  Committee 
on  Military  Affairs,  and  the  Trustees  of  Mount  Hope  Cemetery. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  on  the  11th  of 
July,  an  offer  of  a  lot  of  land  contiguous  to  the  cemetery, 
suitable  for  the  erection  thereon  of  a  monument,  was 
made  by  its  owner,  Gen.  Horace  B.  Sargent,  himself 
heroically  distinguished  during  the  late  war ;  but  at  the 
succeeding  meeting,  (July  18,)  the  offer  was  respectfully 
declined,  the  desire  being  to  erect  the  memorial  within 
the  grounds  of  the  cemetery,  and  any  enlargement  then 
not  being  deemed  expedient. 

At  the  same  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  on  the  11th  of 
July,  Messrs.  Solomon  B.  Stebbins,  Henry  L.  Dalton 
and  Joseph  P.  Paine  were    appointed  a  Committee  to 


SOLDIERS     AND    SAILORS     MONUMENT.  V 

carry  the  wishes  of  the  City  Council  into  practical  effect; 
and,  on  motion  of  the  latter  gentleman,  twenty-five  hun- 
dred feet  of  land  next  adjoining  the  lot  to  be  selected 
for  the  soldiers  and  sailors  were  ordered  to  be  reserved 
for  a  period  not  exceeding  ten  years  for  the  prospective 
enlargement  of  the  lot,  should  the  exigencies  of  the  city 
require  it.  A"  lot  of  land  between  Greenwood  avenue 
and  Heber  walk,  (as  designated  on  the  plan  of  the  cem- 
etery,) was  then  selected  for  the  memorial  lot,  and  the 
Superintendent,  Mr.  Charles  M.  Atkinson,  directed  to 
properly  grade  and  prepare  the  same  forthwith  for  the 
contemplated  purposes  of  the  city. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  18th  of 
July,  it  was  voted  that  the  City  Council  be  respectfully 
requested  to  change  the  name  of  the  place  selected  from 
the  "  Soldier's  Lot"  to  the  "  Army  and  Navy  Lot,"  and, 
accordingly,  the  following  order  received  the  approval 
of  the  Mayor  on  the  24th  of  July,  1865  : 

Ordered,  That  the  name  of  the  lot  recently  set  apart  in 
Mount  Hope  Cemetery  by  order  of  the  City  Council  as  the 
"  Soldiers'  Lot,"  be  changed  to  the 

"ARMY  AND   NAVY  LOT." 

At  the  same  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  it  was  further 
voted  that  the  burials  in  the  monumental  lot  be  limited 
to  those  soldiers  and  sailors  who  die  in  Boston,  and  to 
those  comprised  in  the  quota  of  Boston  who  may  die 
without  the  city. 

The  Committee  charged  with  the  execution  of  the 
order  of  the  City  Council  in  reference  to  the  monument, 


10  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

at  once  advertised  for  suitable  designs  from  architects 
and  others,  and  subsequently  for  bids  from  contractors 
and  builders  to  do  the.  work  required.  The  Committee 
and  the  Board  were  unanimous  in  giving  the  preference 
for  the  design  to  Mr.  Edward  E.  Brown,  of  the  City 
Engineer's  department  of  the  City  of  Boston,  while  with 
like  unanimity  they  selected  the  Granite- Railway  Com- 
pany, operating  at  Concord,  N.  H.,  as  the  contractors  for 
the  erection  of  the  obelisk. 

Soon  after  this  decision,  the  following  communication 
from  the  Trustees  to  the  City  Council  was  made,  under 
date  of  Sept.  19th: 

Gentlemen  :  The  undersigned,  in  behalf  of  the  Trustees  of 
Mount  Hope  Cemetery,  has  the  honor  to  submit  the  following 
statement  in  reference  to  an  order  recently  passed  by  your 
body.  The  order  in  question  instructed  the  Trustees  to  cause 
a  suitable  lot  in  the  cemetery  to  be  prepared  and  graded  for 
the  reception  of  the  remains  of  soldiers  and  sailors  who  shall 
have  served  in  the  late  war,  and  appropriated  the  sum  of  five 
thousand  dollars  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  thereupon  a  proper 
monument.  In  accordance  with  the  above  a  space  of  twenty- 
five  hundred  square  feet  has  been  laid  out  in  a  desirable  part  of 
the  cemetery,  and  an  appropriate  design  adopted  by  a  sub-com- 
mittee of  the  Board,  who  also  advertised  for  bids  to  do  the 
work  required.  They  have  decided  to  accept  the  lowest  of 
these;  but,  as  it  will  involve  a  total  expenditure  of  eleven 
thousand  dollars,  they  would  respectfully  submit  to  the  City 
Council  the  expediency  of  appropriating  for  this  purpose  the 
further  sum  of  six  thousand  dollars. 

In  behalf  of  the  Trustees, 

C.  F.  DANA,  Chairman. 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  11 

Ordered,  That  in  addition  to  the  amount  heretofore  appropri- 
ated for  this  purpose,  there  be  allowed  the  farther  sum  of  six 
thousand  dollars  for  the  completion  of  the  monument  in  the 
Army  and  Navy  Lot,  at  Mount  Hope  Cemetery,  and  that  the 
same  be  charged  to  the  appropriation  for  war  expenses. 

» 

This  order  was  promptly  passed  by  the  City  Council, 
and  approved  by  the  Mayor,  September  25,  1865. 

In  the  year  1866,  a  new  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Mount  Hope  Cemetery  having  been  chosen  by  the  City 
Council,  the  Committee  in  charge  of  the  monument 
was  constituted  as  follows :  Messrs.  Solomon  B.  Steb- 
bins,  Henry  L.  Dalton  and  Charles  W.  Slack. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  April  26,  1866,  it  was 
stated  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Monument  that,  in  consequence  of  the  rapidly  increasing 
number  of  bodies  interred  in  the  Army  and  Navy 
Lot,  it  would  be  necessary  to  consider  the  expediency 
of  enlarging  the  lot,  and  of  applying  to  the  City 
Council  for  an  additional  appropriation  to  meet  the 
expense  of  such  enlargement.  An  estimate  of  the 
Granite  Railway  Company  of  the  additional  cost  for 
curbing,  in  view  of  an  enlarged  lot,  had  been  obtained, 
which,  with  the  expense  of  grading,  &c,  would  make 
the  sum  necessary  to  be  procured  $2000.  It  was 
thereupon  voted  that  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  be 
requested  to  ask  the  City  Council  for  the  additional 
appropriation  named;  which  was  done  on  the  30th  of 
the  same  month. 

In  response  to  this  request  of  the  Trustees,  on  the 
26th  of  May,  1866,  the  following  order,  having  been 
passed  by  the  City  Council,  received  the   approbation 


12  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

of  the  Mayor,  increasing  the  amount  appropriated  for 
the  monument : 

Ordered,  That  the  additional  sum. of  two  thousand  dollars  be 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Trustees  of  Mount  Hope  Cemetery 
and  charged  to  the  , appropriation  for  War  Expenses ;  such 
sum  to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  enlarging  the  Army  and  Navy 
Lot. 

In  consonance  with  this  order  a  new  lot  of  land  was 
selected  by  the  Trustees  for  the  Army  and  Navy  lot, 
and  a  beautiful  and  commanding  site,  fronting  to  the 
westward,  on  the  corner  of  Greenwood  and  Channing 
avenues,  very  near  the  centre  of  the  grounds,  and 
overlooking  Forest  Hills  Cemetery  and  the  intervening 
valley,  was  designated  for  the  purpose.  With  wise 
forethought,  a  space  of  ground  of  equal  size,  in  the 
rear  and  contiguous  to  the  lot,  was  reserved  for  the 
future  needs  of  the  city  in  this  particular  should  occa- 
sion require. 

At  this  time  it  was  confidently  hoped  that  the  raonu- 
.ment  and  lot  would  be  in  such  a  state  of  forwardness  as 
to  warrant  its  dedication  on  the  3d  of  July  following,  — 
one  year  from  the  date  of  the  original  proposition  for 
the  memorial,  and  the  anniversary  of  the  victory  of  Get- 
tysburg, a  battle  most  momentous  in  deciding  the  nation- 
ality of  the  republic.  With  this  view,  the  participation 
of  the  city  government  was  requested  in  the  services  of 
the  dedication,  and  Messrs.  John  S.  Tyler  and  Daniel 
Davies,  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  Messrs.  Clement 
Willis,  Weston  Lewis,  and  Christopher  A.  Connor,  of 
the  Common  Council,  were  appointed  to  cooperate  with 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  13 

the  Trustees  in  the  proposed  dedication.  It  was  found, 
however,  soon  after,  that  it  would  be  impossible  for 
the  stone-cutters  to  get  their  work  finished  in  season 
for  the  dedication  on  the  approaching  anniversary  of 
Gettysburg ;  and  the  services  were  therefore  necessarily 
deferred  till  the  ensuing  season. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  however,  the  Mayor,  Board  of 
Trustees,  the  Committee  on  Cemeteries  on  the  part  of 
the  City  Council,  and  a  few  invited  guests,  visited  the 
Cemetery  and  the  site  for  the  monument,  and  were 
highly  gratified  at  the  progress  of  the  work,  and  the 
attractive  appearance  of  the  cemetery  grounds. 

It  became  apparent,  as  the  work  progressed,  that  a 
still  further  sum  would  be  required  to  complete  the 
setting  of  the  monument,  grading  the  grounds,  removing 
the  remains  already  interred  from  the  first-selected  lot, 
and  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  dedication ;  and 
accordingly,  on  the  24th  of  December,  the  Chairman 
of  the  Trustees  was  directed  to  ask  for  a  further  ap- 
propriation of  $2,500  to  complete  the  memorial. 

This  request,  like  the  preceding  one  for  an  increase  of 
means,  was  favorably  received  by  the  city  government, 
the  committee  to  whom  the  application  was  referred  being 
pleased,  in  their  favorable  report,  to  speak  of  "the  good 
taste  and  economy  thus  far  manifested  in  the  erection  of 
this  memorial."  Accordingly,  on  the  4th  of  January, 
1867,  the  following  order,  having  been  passed,  received 
the  approval  of  the  Mayor : 

Ordered,  That  the  additional  sum  of  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred dollars  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Trustees  of  Mount 
Hope   Cemetery  and  charged   to   the   appropriation  for   War 


14  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

Expenses ;  such  sum  to  be  used  for  the  purposes  of  finishing  the 
setting  of  the  stone  for  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Monument, 
removal  of  bodies  of  deceased  soldiers  and  sailors  to  the  new 
lot,  and  for  grading  and  sodding  the  grounds,  and  dedicating 
the  monument  the  ensuing  season. 

Upon  the  election  of  a  new  Board  of  Trustees  in 
1867,  Mr.  Joseph  P.  Paine  was  joined  with  Messrs. 
Stebbins  and  Slack  as  the  Committee  on  the  Monument, 
and  under  their  direction  the  work  was  rapidly  forwarded. 
The  3d  of  July,  as  the  Trustees  of  the  previous  year 
arranged,  was  determined  upon  for  the  services  of 
dedication. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  the  7th  of  May, 
it  was  voted  that  the  duty  of  formally  yielding  the 
custody  of  the  monument  to  the  Mayor  of  the  City 
be  assigned  to  Mr.  Solomon  B.  Stebbins,  who,  for  three 
years  had  been  at  the  head  of  the  Committee  on  the 
Monument,  and  that  its  reception  from  the  City  in 
behalf  of  the  Trustees,  be  intrusted  to  the  Chairman  of 
the  Board,  Mr.  Charles  W.  Slack.  At  the  same 
meeting  further  arrangements  were  made  for  the  services 
of  dedication  by  the  appointment  of  the  following 
committees : 

On  Invitations  —  Messrs.  Charles  W.  Slack  and 
Charles  Caverly,  Jr. 

On  Exercises  —  Messrs.  Charles  W.  Slack,  Solomon 
B   Stebbins  and  Charles  Caverly,  Jr. 

On  Platform  and  Decorations  —  Messrs.  Thomas 
Gogin  and  Joseph  P.  Paine. 

On  Conveyances  —  Messrs.  Solomon  B.  Stebbins, 
Thomas  Gogin  and  Joseph  P.  Paine. 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  15 

These  Committees,  with  much  promptness  and  suc- 
cess, attended  to  their  respective  duties.  Special  invita- 
tions for  attendance  and  conveyance  were  issued  to  all 
the  living  past  Mayors  of  the  City,  past  Trustees  of  the 
Cemetery,  the  Mayor  of  Roxbury,  the  Selectmen  of 
West  Roxbury  and  Dorchester,  the  officers  of  the  sev- 
eral rural  cemeteries  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  the 
officers  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  the 
Trustees  and  Directors  of  the  several  Societies  and  Fra- 
ternities having  lots  within  the  cemetery,  the  principal 
officers  of  the  late  volunteer  army  from  Boston  and 
vicinity,  and  prominent  lot-owners ;  with  general  invita- 
tions to  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  city  in  the  late 
war,  and  the  public  generally. 


THE    DAY    OF    COMMEMORATION. 

The  day  selected  for  the  services  proved  one  of  the 
loveliest  of  the  season,  —  in  truth,  a  perfect  summer's 
day.  The  bright  sunlight,  the  warm  temperature,  the 
clear  atmosphere,  —  each  was  complete  in  itself;  while 
the  luxuriant  foliage  of  the  cemetery,  freshened  by 
recent  rains,  was  one  vast  tribute,  in  living  green,  to 
the  memory  of  the  departed. 

At  an  early  hour  in  the  afternoon,  the  interested 
participants  in  the  ceremonies  began  to  arrive  at  the 
grounds.  First  came  the  children  from  the  public 
schools  —  sixty-two  in  number  —  who  were  to  con- 
tribute  the  vocal   music   for  the   occasion,  under   the 


16  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

guidance  of  Mr.  Joseph  B.  Sharland,  Teacher  of  Music 
in  the  Grammar  Schools  of  the  City  —  in  two  rustic 
wagons  furnished  by  Messrs.  Powers,  Cook  &  Company  ; 
then  numerous  lot-owners,  with  their  families  ;  large 
numbers  of  relatives  and  friends  of  the  deceased  heroes, 
and  the  residents  of  the  vicinity,  generally  in  private 
conveyances.  Lastly,  by  special  arrangements  of  the 
Trustees  with  the  Boston  and  Providence  Railroad 
Corporation  and  Messrs.  J.  H.  Hathorne  &  Company, 
extra  cars  and  coaches  conveyed  the  larger  number  of 
attendants  from  the  city ;  the  former  by  rail  to  Forest 
Hills  Station,  and  the  latter  from  thence  to  the  cemetery 
grounds.  It  was  estimated  by  careful  observers  that 
fully  one  thousand  persons  were  in  attendance  at  the 
services. 

The  monument  was  tastefully  adorned  with  evergreen 
and  white  flowers,  the  plinth  being  heavily  festooned ; 
and  upon  each  grave  was  placed  a  beautiful  bouquet 
of  fresh  flowers  from  the  conservatory  of  the  cemetery. 
These  last  were  the  grateful  tribute  of  James  Morton, 
the  florist  in  charge.  All  the  floral  decorations  were 
under  the  direction  of  the  Superintendent,  Mr.  Samuel 
A.  B.  Bragg.  At  the  four  corners  of  the  lot,  the 
national  colors  were  elevated  to  the  proper  height  upon 
staffs  provided  temporarily  for  the  purpose.  The  whole 
appearance  of  the  enclosure  and  memorial-stone  was 
tasteful,  appropriate  and  eminently  suggestive. 

The  services  of  dedication  were  conducted  upon  a 
raised  platform  within  a  rustic  arbor,  erected  on  Green- 
wood and  Channing  avenues,  to  the  south  and  west  of 
the  monument-lot.     The  green  boughs  afforded  a  most 


THE    DAY    OF    COMMEMORATION.  17 

grateful  protection  from  the  rays  of  the  afternoon  sun, 
while  numerous  seats  furnished  accommodation  to  a 
very  large  proportion  of  the  attendants. 

The  scene  within  and  around  the  enclosure  was 
impressive  and  peculiar.  Before  the  participants  was 
the  simple  yet  elegant  monument,  hung  with  laurel  and 
lilies ;  in  its  shadow,  to  the  eastward,  the  eighty-five 
graves  of  the  martyrs,  each  strown  with  flowers ; 
beyond,  a  background  of  living  green ;  and  the  wide 
borders,  on  either  side  of  the  lot,  profuse  with  floral 
adornment.  On  the  platform,  at  the  angle  formed  by 
the  avenues,  sat  the  Mayor  and  other  city  officers,  with 
invited  guests ;  to  their  right,  several  of  the  surviving 
rank  and  file  of  the  volunteer  army  in  the  late  war ;  in 
the  rear,  the  children  of  the  public  schools,  in  neat 
attire,  and  with  happy,  interested  faces ;  while  to  the 
left  were  stationed  the  large  concourse  of  friends,  rela- 
tives and  sympathizers  of  the  departed,  with  the  public 
generally. 


THE    SERVICES    OF    DEDICATION. 

Mr.  Charles  Caverly,  Jr.,  of  the  Board  of  Trustees, 
representing  in  part  the  Common  Council,  announced 
the  order  of  services  in  the  following  words  : 

REMARKS  OF  COUNCILMAN  CAVERLY. 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  :  The  duty  of  presiding  over 
this  assembly,  on  this  interesting  and  patriotic  occasion, 

3 


18  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

in  the  absence  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees,—  who  participates  in  the  services  in  a  different 
capacity, — devolves  upon  me.  This  duty,  though  simple, 
is  cheerfully  performed.  The  order  of  exercises  will  be 
found  upon  the  printed  programme.  Before  intro- 
ducing them,  however,  you  will  be  favored  with  music 
by  Gilmore's  Band,  to  which  you  will  please  now  give 
attention. 

Gilmore's  Band  of  fifteen  pieces,  who  had  volun- 
teered their  very  acceptable  aid  for  the  occasion,  pre- 
luded the  services  with  "  Ellsworth's  Funeral  March," 
followed  by  "  Roslin  Castle,"  —  both  of  which  were 
played  with  great  feeling, — when  the  dedicatory  exercises 
were  begun  by  the  singing  of  the  following  original 
hymn,  by  the  choir  of  children,  the  words  being  fur- 
nished by  Mr.  Sharland,  to  a  trio  adapted  from  the 
opera  of  "  Lurline,"  by  Wallace : 

original  hymn. 

• 

Peace  to  the  memory  of  the  brave ! 

Tranquil  may  their  slumbers  be  ! 

Peace  to  the  dead,  the  noble  dead,  — 

Soldier,  peace  to  thee  ! 

Peace  to  the  braves  who,  resting  here, 
Gave  their  lives  for  rights  most  dear ! 
O'er  these  graves,  with  falling  tear, 
We  their  mem'ry  bless  ! 

The  Band  then  played  the  "  Dead  March  in  Saul," 
after  which  the  Rev.  Warren  H.  Cud  worth,  Chaplain 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  19 

of  the  late  First  Massachusetts  Regiment  of  Infantry, 
(recruited  mainly  from  Boston,)  offered  the  following 
address  to  the  Throne  of  Grace : 

PRAYER   OF  REV.   WARREN   H.    CUDWORTH. 

God  of  our  Fathers,  and  our  God  !  We  desire  to 
come  into  Thy  presence,  and  to  call  upon  Thy  name,  with 
grateful  reverence  and  filial  adoration  that  Thou  hast 
vouchsafed  unto  us  the  privilege  of  assembling  in  this 
place,  to-day,  to  perpetuate  the  remembrance  of  our 
noble  and  heroic  dead.  We  desire  to  thank  Thee  that 
in  the  hour  of  our  country's  need  and  peril  her  sons  on 
land  and  sea  were  not  found  recreant  to  the  duties  con- 
nected with  her  defence  and  rescue ;  but  that  from 
every  State,  city  and  town,  from  every  village,  shore 
and  hill-side,  they  started  up  to  maintain,  at  the 
hazard  of  their  lives,  her  freedom  and  unity,  her  rights 
and  laws. 

We  would  acknowledge,  with  devout  appreciation  of 
Thy  wisdom  and  goodness,  that  providential  control  of 
human  affairs  so  signally  manifested  during  our  recent 
war,  which  turned  the  plans  of  rebellion  into  fool- 
ishness, and  brought  substantial  and  enduring  good 
out  of  seeming  but  transitory  evil.  We  rejoice  to 
believe  that  when  we  cried  unto  Thee  during  sea- 
sons of  disaster  and  defeat,  Thou  didst  incline  Thine 
ear  to  hear,  and  didst  finally  save  our  land  from 
destruction. 

Aid  us  to  recognize  with  profound  feeling  the  obli- 
gations we  are  under  to  the  gallant  dead  who,  beneath 


20  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

the  sod  upon  so  many  battle-fields,  and  under  the  waters 
along  so  many  shores,  now  sleep  in  honorable  graves 
that  we  and  all  future  generations  may  receive  the 
blessings  of  liberty  and  union,  one  and  inseparable,  now 
and  forever ! 

Aid  us  to  realize  how  much  of  hardship  and  exposure, 
of  hunger  and  thirst,  of  sickness  and  suffering,  of  out- 
rage and  imprisonment,  of  ignominy  and  insult,  of 
wounds  and  death,  the  privileges  by  which  we  are 
surrounded  have  cost,  that  we  may  appreciate  their 
inestimable  value,  and  see  that  they  are  transmitted 
undiminished  to  the  future. 

Accept  the  act  of  solemn  consecration  which  has 
brought  us  from  our  homes  to  this  last  resting-place 
of  the  brave  departed  slumbering  around  us ;  and 
may  the  memorial  column  we  have  erected  on 
this  spot  to  perpetuate  the  record  of  their  fidelity, 
their  self-sacrifice  and  their  patriotism,  never  fail  to 
awaken  in  all  beholders  feelings  of  heartfelt  grati- 
tude to  them,  and  to  incite  others  to  exhibit  the 
same  virtues  in  their  day  and  generation,  to  the  end 
of  time. 

Crpwn  with  speedy  and  enduring  success,  we  beseech 
Thee,  the  efforts  now  being  made  throughout  the  land 
to  heal  the  wounds  caused  by  the  recent  sad  and 
sanguinary  war.  Restore  harmony  and  good  feeling 
to  all  those  who  have  been  discordant  and  inimical,  and 
hasten  the  time  when  the  separate  States  of  this  great 
country,  united  and  concordant,  shall  march  on  with 
undivided  and  unbroken  front  to  the  accomplishment  of 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  21 

the  grand  end  for  which  we  have  been  called  into  being 
as  a  nation. 

Comfort  the  families,  relatives  and  friends  of  those 
who  have  fonnd  graves  in  this  place,  and  strengthen 
them  from  on  high  to  endure  the  bereavement  which 
has  separated  them  from  husbands,  fathers,  sons  or 
brothers  on  earth ;  leading  all  through  the  influences  of 
Thy  grace  to  prepare  themselves  for  a  blissful  reunion 
in  the  life  everlasting  ! 

Speed  the  Time,  O  Lord,  when  the  nations  of  the 
earth  shall  learn  war  no  more  ;  when  throughout  all 
lands  and  across  all  waters  peace  shall  everywhere 
prevail,  and  good-will  towards  men  become  the  promi- 
nent feature  of  all  human  dealings  and  relationships, 
national  and  individual. 

Command  thy  blessing  upon  those  in  authority  over 
us,  whether  in  the  nation,  the  state,  or  the  city.  With 
especial  favor  regard  the  Mayor  and  other  officers 
connected  with  the  city  government  of  Boston,  and 
endue  them  with  the  wisdom  requisite  to  the  faithful 
and  fearless  discharge  of  all  their  duties.  May  our 
nation,  our  state,  our  city,  never  lack  the  men  needed 
to  stand  by  the  great  principles  of  freedom,  of  union, 
and  of  universal  human  equality  before  the  law ;  the 
men  needed,  perchance,  like  the  honored  dead  about 
us,  to  die  for  the,  maintenance  and  transmission  of  these 
principles  to  posterity. 

And  unto  Thee,  O  God,  will  we  accord  all  homage  and 
all  praise  forever,  through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.    Amen  ! 

The  Band  then  played  the  "  Daniel  Webster  Funeral 


22  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

March,"  which  was  succeeded   by  the   singing  of  the 
following  hymn,  by  the  choir  of  children : 

A  NATIONAL  INVOCATION. 

God  bless  our  native  land  ; 
Firm  may  she  ever  stand 

Through  storm  and  night ; 
When  the  wild  tempests  rave, 
Ruler  of  wind  and  wave, 
Do  thou  our  country  save 

By  thy  great  might ! 

For  her  our  pray'r  shall  rise 
To  God  above  the  skies  : 

On  him  we  wait. 
Thou  who  art  ever  nigh, 
Guarding  with  watchful  eye, 
To  thee  aloud  we  cry  : 

God  save  the  state  ! 

Mr.  Solomon  B.  Stebbins,  Chairman   of    the   Com- 
mittee of  Constrnction,  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  was 
then  introduced,  and   read  the   committee's   report   as 
f     follows : 

REPORT  OF  THE  CONSTRUCTION  COMMITTEE,  BY  MR.  S.  B. 

STEBBINS. 

Mr.  Mayor  :  The  committee  to  whom  was  intrusted 
the  order  of  the  City  Council,  passed  July  3,  1865, 
directing  the  Trustees  of  the  cemetery  to  lay  out  and 
enclose  a  suitable  lot  for  the  interment  of  the  remains 
of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Boston  who  died  in  the 
war  of  the  rebellion,  and  to  erect  thereon  a  proper 
memorial-shaft,  having  executed  the  trust  committed  to 
their  care,  respectfully  submit  for  the  approval  and 
acceptance    of    the    City    Council   the    monument   and 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  23 

enclosure  which  you,  as  chief  magistrate  of  the   city, 
have  been  invited  to  formally  dedicate  this  day. 

From  the  various  designs  presented  for  the  monument 
and  other  stone- work,  the  committee  unanimously  adopted 
that  furnished  by  Mr.  Edward  R  Brown,  of  the  City 
Engineer's  department.  The  lot  is  situated  upon  Green- 
wood avenue,  and  measures  seventy-five  feet  front  by 
fifty  feet  in  depth,  and  is  enclosed  by  a  massive  granite 
curb,  the  posts  of  which  at  the  four  corners  terminate 
in  a  pyramid  of  cannon-balls.  The  ascent  to  the  lot  is 
by  four  steps,  with  curved  buttresses,  and  posts  sur- 
mounted by  mortars.  The  path  within  the  enclosure  is 
laid  out  in  the  form  of  a  Latin  cross,  marked  by  a  low 
granite  edge-stone.  The  monument  stands  in  the  centre 
of  the  cross,  and  is  thirty-two  feet  in  height.  The 
front  and- rear  die  of  the  pedestal  is  panelled,  the  front 
bearing  the  inscription : 

TO  THE  MEMORY 
OF    THE 

SOLDIERS   AND   SAILORS 

OF 

BOSTON, 

WHO  FELL  IN   DEFENCE   OF  THEIR  COUNTRY 

AND  LIBERTY  IN   THE   REBELLION  WHICH 

ENDED   IN   18G5,   THIS   MONUMENT 

IS   GRATEFULLY  DEDICATED 

BY    THE 

CITY  OF  BOSTON. 

The  rear  bears  the  inscription : 

The  courage  and  devotion  shown  by  the  soldiers  and  sailors 
during  the  war  .for  american  nationality  have  made  their  name 
the  glory  and  pride  of  the  nation. 

Erected  by  order  of  the  City  Councdl: 
A.  D.  1865. 


24  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

On  the  right  flank  is  an  emblem,  in  bas-relief  of  the 
army.  The  left  flank  bears  a  bas-relief  emblematic 
of  the  navy.  The  city  seal  is  cut  on  the  front  face 
of  the  shaft.  The  monument  and  curb  is  of  the  best 
quality  of  fine-hammered  Concord  granite,  and  was 
furnished  by  the  Granite  Railway  Company.  The 
setting  of  the  stone-work  was  thoroughly  done  by  Mr. 
Martin  L.  Whitcher.  The  entire  cost  of 'the  monu- 
ment and  curbing,  together  with  the  grading  and  other 
expenses,  will  not  exceed  fifteen  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars.  There  have  been  interred  in  the  lot  the 
remains  of  eighty-five  soldiers  and  sailors,  whose  names, 
with  their  age,  and  the  date  of  their  death  and  burial, 
are  as  follows : 


RANGE   ONE. 

-NTamP                              Place  of 
JName*                           Death. 

When  Died. 

Age. 

When  Buried. 

1. 

Jeremiah  McCann,  Boston. 

Jan.  22, 

'67. 

24 

Jan. 

23, '67. 

2. 

David  Sullivan, 

tc 

Feb.  13, 

'67. 

27 

Feb. 

15, '67. 

3. 

Patrick  Dorgan, 

H 

Jan.  20, 

'67. 

42 

Jan. 

23, '67. 

4. 

John  Kennedy, 

u 

Mar.  17, 

'67. 

41 

Mar. 

20, '67. 

5. 

Thomas  Wells, 

u 

May  24, 

'67. 

23 

May 

25, '67. 

6. 

Charles  Gilbert, 

u 

Jan.     3, 

'67. 

39 

Jan. 

6, '67. 

7. 

John  W.  Porter, 

u 

Dec.  27, 

'66. 

18 

Dec. 

28, '66. 

8. 

William  Barry, 

(( 

Dec.    3, 

'66. 

40 

Dec. 

4,  '66. 

9. 

Francis  L.  Harrison 

> 

Jan.     8, 

'66. 

33 

Jan. 

10, '66. 

10. 

George  F.  Boole, 

« 

Nov.    5, 

'66. 

20 

Nov. 

6, '66. 

11. 

Robert  Whitsett, 

u 

Oct.   19, 

'66. 

21 

Oct. 

21, '66. 

12. 

Henry  Burns, 

(( 

Oct.   12, 

'66. 

27 

Oct. 

13, '66. 

13. 

William  Carline, 

u 

Oct.     7, 

'66. 

35 

Oct. 

8,  '66. 

14. 

Jabez  J.  Lewis, 

(( 

Sept.  25, 

'66. 

32 

Sept. 

,26, '66. 

15. 

Chas.  E.  Batchelder. 

1 

Apr.  25, 

'66. 

21 

Apr. 

26,  '66. 

16. 

John  Nicholson, 

u 

Apr.  16, 

'66. 

22 

Apr. 

17, '66. 

17. 

Thomas  Hatheway, 

(C 

Feb.  21, 

'66. 

42 

Feb. 

22, '66. 

soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  25 


Name. 

.  lace  oi 
Death. 

When  Died. 

Age. 

When  Buried. 

18. 

Justin  C.  Douty,      Boston. 

Jan.  27, 

}66. 

34 

Jan.  29, '66. 

19. 

Lewis  Gaul,  Jr. 

(C 

Dec.  24, 

'65. 

19 

Dec.  27, '65, 

20. 

Edgar  Colburn, 

u 

Nov.    9, 

'66. 

31 

Nov.  10, '66, 

21. 

Freeman  Fremuht, 

u 

Jan.  15, 

'66. 

22 

Jan.   16, '66, 

22. 

David  Smith, 

M 

Nov.  27, 

'65. 

45 

Nov.  28,  '65, 

23. 

John  Z.  Lowell,  Gal' 

p'slsld 

.  July     9, 

'65. 

29 

July  11, '65, 

24. 

Robert  Logan,        Boston. 

Apr.  30, 

'65. 

40 

May     1/65 

25. 

Thomas  McGuire, 

u 

Dec.  17, 

'65. 

46 

Dec.  19, '65, 

26. 

Charles  Hayden, 

(( 

Dec.  18, 

'65. 

26 

Dec.  19, '65 

27. 

Thomas  Allen, 

(I 

Dec.    6, 

'65. 

19 

Dec.    8, '65. 

28. 

Dennis  Donovan, 

« 

Dec.    2, 

'65. 

30 

Dec.    3, '65. 

29. 

John  Carr, 

(( 

Nov.  29, 

'65. 

23 

Nov.  30,  '65, 

30. 

James  Christiansen, 

(( 

Oct.  28, 

'65. 

32 

Oct.   30, '65. 

31. 

G.  M.  GlLLEY, 

u 

Sept.  30, 

'65. 

21 

Oct.     2, '65, 

32. 

Rufus  Raymond, 

u 

July     5, 

'65. 

47 

July     6,  '65, 

33. 

John  Hunt, 

cc 

Aug.    7, 

'65. 

.  28 

Aug.    9, '65, 

34. 

John  McMahon, 

(( 

June  16, 

'65. 

38 

June  18,  '65 

35. 

Marcus  M.  Sullivan 

May  17, 

'65. 

26 

June  17,  '65 

3G. 

Timothy  D.  Williams 

a 

Apr.  18, 

'65. 

39 

Apr.  19, '65, 

37. 

Samuel  Lightbody, 

(4 

Mar.    9, 

'65. 

33 

Mar.  10,  '65, 

38. 

Robert  Lindsey, 

M 

Feb.  26, 

'65. 

26 

Feb.  28, '65, 

39. 

John  M.  Russell, 

a 

Mar.  29, 

'65. 

37 

Apr.    3, '65. 

40. 

Francis  Richardson, 

(( 

Jan.     3, 

'65. 

25 

Jan.     4,  '65. 

41. 

Orin  C.  Hussey, 

a 

Oct.  25, 

'64. 

33 

Oct.    26, '65. 

42.  Richard  Hickson,        "  Jan.  16, '65.     24     Jan.   17, '65. 

RANGE   TWO. 

1.  John  C.  Carlton,    Boston.  Dec.     9,  '64. 

2.  Daniel  R.  Bray,  "  Dec.    2,  '64. 

3.  Chas.R.Hervey,   W.Rox'y.  Dec.  15, '64. 

4.  Albert  Greenwood,  Bos'n.  Nov.  12, '64. 

5.  Oliver  C.  Bixby,   Out  of  city.  July  30,  '64. 

6.  JohnDurene,  Boston.  Jan.  28, '65. 

7.  James  Thompson,  "  Sept.  25,  '64. 

8.  John  Turner,  "  Oct.  25,  '64. 

9.  William  McGawley,  "  July  17,  '64. 

4 


37 

Dec. 

11, 

'64. 

24 

Dec. 

2, 

'64. 

52 

Dec. 

17, 

'64. 

29 

Nov. 

15, 

'64. 

36 

Nov. 

30, 

'64. 

21 

Jan. 

30, 

'65. 

34 

Sept, 

.26, 

'64. 

45 

Oct. 

26, 

'64, 

21 

July 

18, 

'64 

26 


SOLDIERS     AND    SAILORS     MONUMENT. 


Name  Place  of 

JName*  Death. 

10.  Patrick  Laughlin,  Boston. 

11.  Morris  Carmichael,    " 

12.  Julius  Lorio,  " 

13.  Michael  Finley,  " 

14.  Edward  Brayton,  " 

15.  Charles  Delmont,  " 

16.  Joseph  Patterson,  " 

17.  James  McCormick,  " 

18.  John  Curry,  " 

19.  Charles  A.  Dickey,  " 

20.  Joel  Masury,  " 

21.  James  Walsh,  " 

22.  John  Friedrich,  " 

23.  Daniel  McDonald,     " 

24.  Patrick  Gannon,  " 

25.  William  Brown,  " 

26.  Richard  Burns,  " 

27.  Jeremiah  Cooney,  " 

28.  Robert  Saunders,  " 

29.  Charles  J.  Doyle,  " 

30.  Thomas  Wilson,  " 

31.  Edmund  Cleary,  " 

32.  Henry  Davis,  " 

33.  Daniel  McFee,  " 

34.  Joseph  Higgins,  " 

35.  Moses  Osgood,  " 


When  Died. 

Sept.  9,  '64. 
Aug.  19,  '64. 
May  25,  '64. 
July  1,  '64. 
July  9,  '64. 
Apr.  11,  '64. 
Apr.  5,  '64. 
May  15,  '64. 
Apr.  16,  '64. 
May  21,  '64. 
May  18,  '64. 
Feb.  19,  '63. 
Apr.  13,  '64. 
Mar.  7,  '64. 
May  6,  '67. 
Feb.  11, '64. 
Jan.  27, '64. 
Feb.  11,  '64. 
Feb.  2,  '63. 
Mar.  20,  '63. 
Apr.  5,  '63. 
June  15,  '63. 
Feb.  23,  '63. 
Aug.  11,  '63. 
June  24,  '63. 
Nov.    7,  '63. 


Age.  When  Buried. 

34  Sept.  11, '64. 

46  Aug.  20,  '64. 
25  May  25, '64. 
25  July  2,  '64. 
44  July  11, '64. 

23  Apr.  13,  '64. 
36  Apr.  4,  '64. 
44  May  17, '64. 
40  Apr.  17, '64. 
28  May  21, '64. 
43  May  19,  '64. 
34  Feb.  19, '63. 

47  Apr.  15, '64. 
32  Mar.  8, '64. 
50  May  7,  '67. 
28  Feb.  12, '64. 

42  Jan.  28, '64. 
32  Feb.  12, '64. 
36  Feb.     4, '63. 

24  Mar.  20,  '63. 
19  Apr.  6,  '63. 
22  June  16,  '63. 
31  Feb.  23, '63. 
40  Aug.  12, '63, 
22  June  26,  '63. 

43  Nov.    8, '63. 


1 .  John  Barry, 

2.  David  Richards,  " 

3.  Charles  H.  Reynolds,  " 

4.  JamesDonovan,  " 

5.  John  Hart,  " 

6.  Noah  E.  Barlow,  " 

7.  James  Brain,  " 

8.  Richard  Seymour,  " 


RANGE   THREE. 

Boston.     Dec.  12,  '62. 
"  June    7,  '63. 

Feb.  4,  '64. 
Jan.  3,  '64. 
Jan.  15,  '64. 
Oct.  31,  '63. 
May  5,  '63. 
Dec.     9,  '62. 


34  Dec.  12, '62. 

29  June    9,  '63. 

38  Feb.     5,  '64. 

38  Jan.     4,  '64. 

23  Jan.   16, '64. 

26  Nov.    2, '63. 

50  May     6,  '63. 

38  Dec.     9,  '62. 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  27 

Not  all  of  the  honored  dead  who  hallow  and  conse- 
crate this  ground  belonged  in  Boston,  or  formed  part  of 
the  quota  of  the  city.  Many  of  these  men,  enlisted  in 
other  States,  and  returning  from  service  sick  or  wounded, 
found  a  welcome  in  our  Soldiers'  Home  on  Springfield 
street,  where  grateful  hands  kindly  cared  for  them 
while  they  lived,  and  at  death  brought  them  to  this 
beautiful  garden  of  the  dead*  where  they  rest  by  the 
side  of  our  own  departed  heroes.  All  died  for  their 
country,  and  are  alike  deserving  of  the  highest 
homage  we  can  pay.  We  have  chosen  this  anni- 
versary day,  so  dear  to  us  for  the  victories  achieved 
at  Gettysburg,  as  most  fitting  and  proper  to  enshrine 
the  memories  of  our  fallen  braves.  With  gratitude 
we  dedicate  this  granite  shaft  to  their  memory;  with 
affection  we  strew  their  graves  with  flowers.  How 
plain  our  remembrance  compared  with  the  lives  and 
deeds  we  commemorate !  The  services  and  memories 
of  this  hour  should  inspire  us  to  dedicate  ourselves 
with  renewed  fidelity  to  the  cause  for  which  they 
died ;  and  thus  shall  we  most  honor  and  render 
undying  the  name  and  fame  of  the  American  soldier 
and  sailor. 

Mr.  Mayor  :  The  monument  you  dedicate  to-day, 
beautiful  in  design  and  enduring  in  structure,  will  ever 
express  the  gratitude  of  our  municipality  to  the  patri- 
otism and  heroic  deeds  of  those  who  fell  in  defence  of 
their  country  and  liberty. 

His  Honor  Otis  Norcross,  Mayor  of  Boston,  ac- 
cepted the  monument  in  behalf  of  the  city,  and  trans- 


28  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

mitted  its  custody  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  in  the  fol- 
lowing words : 

REMARKS  OF  MAYOR  NORCROSS. 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Construc- 
tion Committee  :  In  behalf  of  the  City  Council  and 
the  citizens  of  Boston  I  accept  with  gratification  and 
pride  the  monument  which  you  have  in  so  felicitous  a 
manner  delivered  to  me.  The  work  you  were  commis- 
sioned to  do  was,  I  know,  not  an  ungrateful  task.  Your 
devotion  to  it,  and  the  success  of  your  labors,  are  attested 
by  the  substantial,  beautiful  and  appropriate  structure 
before  us.  For  the  care  and  attention  you  have  bestowed 
upon  it  you  have  an  ample  reward  in  the  consciousness 
of  a  sacred  duty  well  performed,  and  in  the  thanks  of 
your  constituents. 

Gentlemen  of  the  City  Council  and  Fellow-Citi- 
zens :  This  inclosure  has  been  set  apart  as  a  burial-place 
for  our  brave  men  who,  either  on  the  land  or  on  the  sea, 
bore  the  flag  of  our  country  in  the  sanguinary  conflicts 
of  the  late  civil  war,  and  this  monument  has  been  erected 
to  mark  the  place  where  their  mortal  remains  repose, 
and  to  manifest  to  their  friends  now  living,  and  to  suc- 
ceeding generations,  our  appreciation  of  their  valor  and 
patriotism  and  our  gratitude  for  their  heroic  achievements. 
Already  nearly  one  hundred  interments  have  been  made 
in  this  ground,  including  twenty  removals  from  the  cem- 
etery upon  Copp's  Hill.  Some  who  sleep  here  fell  on  the 
field  of  battle ;  others,  after  the  final  triumph  of  our 
arms,  were  returning  to  their  homes  in  neighboring  States, 
became  exhausted  from  wounds  received  or  disease  con- 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  29 

tracted  in  the  service,  and,  unable  to  proceed  farther  on 
their  homeward  journey,  lingered  and  died,  after  receiv- 
ing from  our  people  such  sympathy  and  alleviation  of 
their  sufferings  as  their  condition  permitted ;  and  still 
others  went  out  from  our  own  city,  and,  having  performed 
their  whole  duty  in  the  cause  of  the  country,  and  wit- 
nessed the  triumphant  vindication  of  that  cause,  returned 
before  their  spirits  departed  from  earth  to  meet  the  wel- 
come of  friends  and  the  ovations  of  their  fellow-citizens. 
The  living  companions-in-arms  of  the  deceased  are 
entitled,  after  they  shall  have  finished  their  mortal 
course,  to  the  honor  of  burial  in  the  same  consecrated 
place. 

Humbly  invoking  the  blessing  of  heaven  upon  our 
proceedings,  we  now  dedicate  this  enclosure  and  this 
monument  to  the  patriotic  and  holy  purpose  for  which 
they  have  been  prepared.  The  day  is  eminently  appro- 
priate to  this  duty.  It  is  the  anniversary  of  the  battle 
of  Gettysburg ;  the  field  where  the  select  of  the  rebel 
troops,  on  a  bold  and  victorious  march,  were  met  by  our 
hitherto  flying  forces,  repulsed  with  great  slaughter,  and 
driven  to  inglorious  and  disastrous  flight.  Like  the  sur- 
render at  Saratoga  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  this 
was  a  turning-point  in  our  military  fortunes.  Soon 
afterward  followed  the  capitulation  at  Vicksburg,  and 
then  a  series  of  the  most  remarkable  marches  and 
engagements  recorded  in  military  history,  with  victory 
almost  uninterruptedly  resting  upon  our  banners,  until 
the  final  surrender  of  General  Lee  closed  the  eventful 
struggle. 

Four   years    since    a    part   of   the  immortal   field  of 


30  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

Gettysburg  was  consecrated  as  a  cemetery  for  those  who 
had  fallen  so  heroically  upon  it.  In  the  solemn  and 
impressive  ceremonies  of  that  occasion  a  leading  part 
was  taken  by  one  of  the  most  gifted  and  eloquent  sons 
of  Massachusetts,  who  has  himself  since  gone  to  "  that 
undiscovered  country  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller 
returns."  His  grateful  fellow-citizens,  whom  he  has  so 
often  entranced  by  his  oratory,  instructed  by  his  wisdom, 
and  benefited  by  his  public  and  private  acts,  are  procur- 
ing a  statue  which  shall  carry  down  to  posterity  the  rep- 
resentation of  his  personal  appearance  among  us.  He 
has  himself  erected  a  monument  to  his  memory  "  more 
enduring  than  brass  "  and  more  beautiful  than  chiselled 
marble. 

This  hour  teaches  us  important  lessons.  We  stand 
here  over  the  mouldering  bodies  of  men  who  laid  down 
their  lives  that  the  nation  might  live,  and  its  free  institu- 
tions be  made  perpetual.  While  we  lament  the  great 
sacrifice,  we  rejoice  in  the  advance  which  has  been  made 
in  liberty  and  civilization. 

The  chief  cause  of  our  national  discord  has  been 
removed,  and  now  let  us  strive,  under  the  favor  of  Divine 
Providence,  to  make  the  peace  we  have  attained  lasting 
and  unbroken  ;  to  allay  sectional  asperities  ;  to  cultivate 
sentiments  of  nationality  and  kindness ;  to  revive  our 
prostrate  industry  ;  and  to  promote  by  all  possible  means 
whatever  tends  to  individual  advancement  or  national 
prosperity  and  renown.  Let  us  be  as  prompt  to  dis- 
charge our  duties  as  to  exact  our  rights,  and  ever  bear 
in  mind  that  organized  bodies,  whether  political,  indus- 
trial, religious  or  social,  can  insure  harmony  and  a  satis- 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  31 

factory  measure  of  success  only  by  charity  and  mutual 
forbearance.  There  must  always  be  differences  of  opin- 
ion as  to  measures  of  public  policy  and  questions  of  con- 
stitutional interpretation,  but  we  should  never  forget 
that  we  are  one  people,  whose  success,  honor  and  hap- 
piness are  inseparable. 

Gentlemen  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mount 
Hope  Cemetery  :  With  you  and  your  successors  in  office 
rests  the  responsibility  of  preserving  this  monument  and 
improving  this  enclosure,  which  are  now  committed  to 
your  keeping.  The  honor  of  the  city  is  concerned  that 
they  shall  be  protected  and  cared  for,  so  as  to  assure  the 
friends  and  surviving  comrades  of  the  deceased  who 
shall  in  future  years  visit  these  grounds  that  the  feeling 
of  gratitude  which  prompted  their  dedication  remains  an 
abiding  sentiment  with  the  people  of  Boston.  It  will  be 
your  duty  to  provide  not  only  that  the  monument 
shall  receive  no  injury,  but  that  the  grounds  we 
have  this  day  consecrated  shall  be  improved  and  made 
attractive  by  such  means  as  good  taste  shall  dictate. 
The  more  certainly  to  insure  the  constant  perform- 
ance of  this  duty  allow  me  to  suggest  the  expediency 
of  setting  apart  from  each  annual  appropriation  for 
the  cemetery  such  an  amount  as  may  be  necessary 
for  this  object.  This  will  constantly  remind  you  of 
the  sacred  trust  which  you  have  accepted,  and  be  an 
example  which  future  Boards  of  Trustees  will  be 
likely  to  follow. 

Mr.  Charles  W.  Slack,  of  the  Board  of  Alder- 
men,  and  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mount 


32  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

Hope  Cemetery,  then  made  the  following  response  in 
behalf  of  the  Trustees : 

REMARKS   OF   ALDERMAN   SLACK. 

Mr.  Mayor  :  The  responsibility  which  you  impose  on 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mount  Hope  Cemetery  in  the 
committal  of  this  monument  to  their  custody  is  accepted 
cordially  from  a  sense  alike  of  duty  and  patriotism.  To 
their  eye  it  is  an  emblem  of  the  stability  and  generosity 
of  the  city  which  we  love  —  a  token  equally  of  revolu- 
tionary renown,  present  loyalty,  and  future  devotion  to 
liberty  and  law. 

The  citizen  soldier,  leaping  to  the  defence  of  an 
imperilled  nationality,  is  the  noblest  product  of  repub- 
lican institutions,  for  he  teaches  that  all  that  the  wisdom 
of  the  statesman  and  the  virtue  of  the  people  have  devised 
for  the  common  good  is  defended  with  the  most  precious 
of  offerings,  his  life.  Before  us,  with  the  soft  sunlight 
of  this  summer  day  alternating  with  the  grateful  shadow 
of  the  passing  clouds,  beneath  these  greenest  of  swards, 
necked  with  the  brilliant  hues  of  garlands,  lie  eighty- 
five  of  these  heroes,  who  took  their  lives  in  their  hands 
and  went  forth  to  battle  for  the  ideas  which  our  republic 
represents,  and,  their  duty  done,  laid  them  down  cheer- 
fully that  the  nation  might  endure. 

It  is  no  ordinary  occasion,  therefore,  that  brings  us 
together  to-day  to  do  honor  to  their  memory,  while  we 
dedicate  the  obelisk  that  shall  tell  of  their  patriotism 
and  prowess.  Though  simple  in  its  details,  it  yet 
speaks  fully  our  gratitude.  We  honor  profoundly  the 
men  who  tendered  this  great  service  to  their  country. 


SOLDIERS     AND    SAILORS     MONUMENT. 


33 


Our  eyes  moisten  as  we  remember  their  deeds.  Our 
hearts  beat  quicker  at  the  story  of  their  fortitude  and 
bravery.  Behind  their  self-devotion  we  discern  the 
greatness  of  the  hazard  involved  in  the  contest.  Noth- 
ing less  than  the  mastery  of  a  continent,  the  freedom  of 
a  race,  the  existence  of  republican  institutions  forever- 
more,  were  the  stakes  for  which  they  so  valiantly 
fought  and  so  nobly  fell. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  we  should  recall  the  separate 
struggles  in  which  these  and  other  sons  of  Boston 
quickened  with  holy  inspiration.  Whether  those  con- 
tests were  of  temporary  disaster  or  full-measured  suc- 
cess, we  feel  that  for  such  a  cause  as  they  fought  the 
humblest  effort  was  an  aspiration ;  every  shot  fired  or 
blow  struck,  an  invocation  for  liberty  and  right.  Alter- 
nate success  and  disaster  did,  indeed,  vary  the  fortunes 
of  the  great  contest  upon  which  they  entered  ;  but  we 
now  gratefully  recognize  that  that  good  Providence 
which  guides  the  destinies  of  states  as  of  individuals 
led  us  to  heights  of  moral  excellence  as  well  as  to  fields 
of  martial  renown.  When  we  decreed  justice  to  all, 
making  shackles  fall,  and  enfranchisement  the  great 
sentiment  of  the  war,  then  was  vouchsafed  to  us  —  at 
Gettysburg  and  Vicksburg  —  such  momentous  victories 
that  far  grander  glories  than  ever  before  discerned  were 
added  to  the  natal-day  of  the  Republic. 

We  stand  here  to-day  on  the  anniversary  of  one  of 
those  great  successes  to  our  arms  when,  after  three  days 
of  Titanic  effort  on  each  side  of  the  contending  hosts, 
victory,  unquestioned,  undimmed,  and  all-reaching  in 
results,  came  to  our  banners.     It  is  now  seen  by  many 

5 


34  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

minds  to  have  been  the  pivotal  struggle  of  the  great 
contest.  With  our  success,  the  world  knew  that  the 
nation  was  to  live,  and  republican  institutions  not  perish 
from  the  earth.  It  guaranteed  as  long  as  the  nation 
should  endure  a  home  for  the  oppressed  of  all  lands 
within  the  bosom  of  our  continent.  It  proclaimed  louder 
than  the  roar  of  its  guns  that  it  is  the  wisest  statesman- 
ship to  present  in  national  affairs  a  great  moral  issue. 
It  heralded,  for  the  encouragement  of  the  doubter  every- 
where, that  God  and  Justice  on  your  side  are  weightier 
than  artillery,  and  swifter  than  the  advance  of  brigades. 
All  honor  again  to  the  men  who  fell  so  heroically  with 
this  grand  idea  within  and  behind  then  !  —  an  incentive 
than  which  none  could  be  sublimer !  —  contending  often 
better  than  they  knew  for  the  establishment  of  principles 
which  are  now  rapidly  regenerating  this  nation,  and 
which,  despite  old  prejudices,  are  making  us  a  homo- 
geneous, fraternal  and  all-powerful  people.  God  grant 
to  their  perfect  enthronement  in  all  hearts  a  speedy  con- 
summation ! 

But  not  alone  to  the  fallen  are  these  honors.  This 
monument  tells  equally  eloquently  the  story  of  the  hero- 
ism of  those  who  live  —  scarred,  wounded,  fatigued — 
to  receive  the  plaudits  of  their  countrymen.  Springing 
from  the  quiet  vocations  of  peace  to  assume  the  stern 
duties  of  war,  they  have,  with  like  readiness,  their  task 
well  done,  resumed  the  habiliments  of  peace.  Medals 
and  like  insignia  may  not  distinguish  them.  The  uni- 
form of  blue  in  which  they  proudly  marched  and  fought 
may  be  laid  aside.  Though  wanting  outward  badges  of 
distinction,  not  less  are  they  cherished  in  the  hearts  of 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  35 

the  people.  They  are  of  that  great  commonalty  of 
energy,  courage,  worth,  patriotism,  and  popular  power, 
by  which  our  nation  was  saved.  So  gigantic  was  the 
rebellion,  so  vast  the  theatre  of  war,  so  numerous  the 
heroes,  that  the  bravery  of  even  the  most  eminent 
almost  fails  to  become  individualized  in  the  general 
review.  The  traditions  of  family  and  the  narratives  of 
companions  shall  do  justice  to  these  men.  Though  occa- 
sions and  dates  may  pass  from  the  memory,  yet  in  the 
breasts  of  the  participants,  and  in  the  heart  of  the  nation 
at  large,  will  it  be  ever  known  that  it  was  to  the  forti- 
tude and  devotion  of  the  mass  of  our  people  that  victory 
was  finally  won. 

This  monument  stands,  therefore,  for  the  dead  and  the 
living  in  the  great  contest  for  nationality !  It  stands  to 
typify  the  enduring  fidelity  of  all  to  a  common  country. 
It  will  receive  the  earliest  glints  of  the  morning  sun ; 
the  signet  of  our  city's  power  on  its  front  will  hold  to 
the  last  its  parting  rays.  Beneath  the  effulgence  of  noon- 
day, and  under  the  stars  of  night ;  in  summer's  heats  and 
winter's  storms  ;  at  all  times,  as  seasons  come  and  go, — 
it  will  stand,  firm,  majestic,  enduring,  to  tell  of  all  that 
was  sacrificed,  all  that  was  hoped,  all  that  is  secured ! 
May  it  ever  inspire  the  young  and  strengthen  the  old  to 
deeds  of  high  patriotism  ! 

Its  position,  too,  is  equally  suggestive.  Of  the  city, 
yet  without  its  limits,  it  tells  of  twenty-six  thousand 
soldiers  sent  by  the  city  of  Boston  to  the  war,  a  large 
portion  of  whom,  not  native  to  its  soil,  yet  sought 
within  its  devious  thoroughfares  the  comforts  of  a  home 
earned  as  the  reward  of  varying  toil.     This  beautiful 


36  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

valley,  with  its  grateful  landscape  shut  in  by  these 
undulating  hills,  recalls  the  scenes  of  their  youth  to 
large  numbers  of  our  population.  Away  from  the  din 
of  the  city,  the  meditative  mind  finds  here  that  quiet 
which  assimilates  so  well  with  noble  deeds.  These 
slumberers  that  surround  us,  who  fell  amid  the  kindly 
attention  of  kinship,  gladly  make  room  in  this  rural 
retreat  for  those  who,  from  the  roar  and  shock  of  battle, 
come  hither  to  share  with  them  the  peace  of  the  grave. 
The  numerous  company  of  the  charitable  and  humane 
who,  while  living,  sought  the  good  of  the  community, 
and  who,  in  death,  have  had  pious  rites  solemnized  to 
their  memory,  proclaim  from  tablet  and  mound  that 
there  is  no  beneficence  so  blessed  as  that  of  a  redeemed 
country.  And  even  the  floral' munificence,  which  now 
as  ever  marks  these  fragrant  grounds,  by  stem  and 
petal,  in  leaf  and  flower,  speaks  from  the  great  heart  of 
Nature  to  say,  Welcome  and  beauty  forevermore  to 
those  who  die  for  liberty  and  right ! 

The  individual  history  of  each  of  these  soldiers  for 
the  Union  it  is  impossible  here  to  tell.  They  represent 
all  conditions  of  social  and  army  life,  —  the  youthful 
brave,  with  the  dew  of  his  mother's  kiss  upon  his  fore- 
head, early  falling  in  the  first  assault,  and  the  stalwart 
veteran,  bronzed  by  four  years'  exposure,  who  success- 
fully combated  till  the  final  victory  was  proclaimed. 
From  the  first  battle  at  Manassas  Plains  to  the  sur- 
render by  the  banks  of  the  Appomattox,  all  the  princi- 
pal contests  of  the  war  are  historied  by  these  sleeping 
heroes.  From  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy  and 
the  heights  of  Lookout  Mountain ;  from  the  camps  of 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  37 

the  Potomac,  Rappahannock,  York  and  James ;  from 
beyond  the  tortuous  Mississippi,  along  the  borders  of 
the  Gulf,  and  all  the  vast  expanse  between  ;  from  the 
prison  limits  of  Belle  Isle  and  Andersonville ;  by  the 
bullet  and  by  the  deadly  miasma ;  by  accident,  starva- 
tion and  exhaustion ;  through  the  portal  of  battle-field, 
hospital  and  private  home ;  from  the  ships  of  war  that 
floated  proudly  at  sea  or  fought  gallantly  by  the  shore, 
—  came  the  shadowy  procession  of  later  martyrs  that 
have  passed  to  earthly  rest.  The  solemn  roll-call  has 
been  heard  on  every  field  of  renown,  and  has  gathered 
the  host  that  to-day,  in  part,  we  honor.  Who,  then, 
shall  make  up  the  long  list  of  incidents  —  filial,  pater- 
nal, neighborly — that  are  associated  with  this  glorious 
company?  What  tongue  narrate  the  story  of  each, 
with  pause  for  the  heart-throbs  of  nearest  and  dearest 
that  shall  beat  with  the  recital?  Whose  eloquence 
fittingly  voice  the  great  lesson  of  constancy,  suffering 
and  heroic  death  ?  The  rural  town,  whose  dead  of  the 
war  are  comparatively  few,  can  give  these  details,  so 
full  of  sad  interest ;  but  the  populous  city,  counting  her 
fallen  by  hundreds,  must  be  general  in  its  allusions, 
comprehensive  in  its  description.  To  the  numberless 
throng,  then,  whose  deeds  are  unforgotten,  though  their 
names  are  not  heard ;  who  abide  in  fame,  though  their 
sepulchre  is  unrecognized ;  whose  dust  far  away  is 
mingled  with  the  stranger  soil,  —  pay  we  now  the 
respect  due  heroism  and  merit  the  most  exalted. 

The  inscriptions  which  have  been  placed  upon  the 
monument  are  simple  and  eloquent;  the  emblazonry 
appropriate  and  suggestive.     The  art  of  the    architect 


38  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

and  the  patriotism  of  the  city  have  made  these  silent 
stones  speak  of  the  past  and  the  future.  "  The  mem- 
ory of  these  martyrs ;  the  noble  names  which  yet  have 
gathered  only  their  first  fame  ;  whatever  good  grows  out 
of  the  war  to  the  country ;  the  largest  results  ;  the 
future  power  and  genius  of  the  land ;  will  go  on  clothing 
this  shaft  with  daily  beauty  and  spiritual  life."  There 
are  those  in  this  company  the  mists  in  whose  eyes  will 
hardly  allow  the  reading  of  the  words  or  the  observance 
of  the  escutcheons  borne  upon  the  column.  But  instinct- 
ively they  know  their  full  purport!  There  are  those 
here,  too,  who  share  more  than  others  the  inheritance 
of  fame  which  the  obelisk  yields,  —  the  companions-in- 
arms of  the  brave  men  slumbering  beneath!  To  you 
and  your  associates,  my  friends,  this  regenerated  nation 
owes  more  than  it  can  ever  bestow,  can  ever  even 
acknowledge !  Great  were  your  sacrifices,  but  not  greater 
than  the  gratitude  of  those  whose  hearths,  liberties  and 
nationality  you  maintained.  Your  honors  are  won ;  for 
"  you  can  hardly  be  called  again  to  see  fields  as  terrible 
as  those  you  have  already  trampled  with  your  victories." 
This  monument  will  have  its  own  history.  It  will 
rank  with  the  inspiration  that  caused  the  nation  to  leap 
as  one  man  at  the  memorable  call  of  the  President; 
with  that  generosity  that  impelled  the  tender  of  means 
more  profuse  than  the  treasury  could  accept ;  with  the 
patriotism  that  was  vitalized  by  volunteering  beyond  the 
control  of  the  ministry  of  war !  It  will  stand  with  the 
Sanitary  Commission  and  its  hundreds  of  fairs  all  over 
the  land  ;  with  the  sweet  charity  of  women  running 
unceasingly  from  the  points  of  their  needles  or  over- 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  39 

flowing  in  stores  of  comfort  and  convenience ;  with  the 
surgings  of  public  assemblies,  rallying  anew  to  cheer 
the  army  and  replete  its  ranks !  It  will  be  associated 
with  the  flags  of  the  regiments  traced  all  over  with  the 
names  of  battle-fields ;  with  the  returning  legions  hailed 
with  thundering  applause  and  the  welcome  of  civic 
magistrates  !  It  becomes  a  part  of  the  war,  —  our  monu- 
mental insignia  of  universal  well-doing,  proclaiming  a 
general  devotion  to  the  institutions  of  our  fathers !  It 
will  mark  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  the  nation, 
enunciating  the  theory  that  only  by  the  entire  free- 
dom of  every  individual  is  the  fullest  safety  to  the 
State  assured;  that  deprivation  of  rights  to  the  least 
of  its  members  is  danger  to  the  whole !  It  will  tell  of 
the  virtue  and  constancy  of  the  people,  which  shall 
remain  so  long  as  the  deeds  of  the  past  are  remem- 
bered !  Whatever  the  mutations  of  time,  or  the 
changes  of  parties ;  however  far  we  may  fall  short  in 
securing  all  to  which  the  great  contest  entitles  us,  —  we 
can  come  up  to  this  edifice  from  the  turmoil  of  business 
and  political  life,  and  have  our  gratitude  deepened,  our 
loyalty  quickened,  our  patriotism  reenkindled !  It  will 
thus  doubly  honor  the  past  and  ennoble  the  present ! 

Here,  then,  let  it  stand  !  Illustrating  a  war  for  union, 
nationality  and  the  rights  of  man,  it  will  be  honorable 
to  ourselves  and  grateful  to  our  posterity !  Faithfully 
holding  to  the  principles  it  represents,  we  may  defy 
future  treason  from  within  or  aggression  from  without ; 
infidel  to  its  inspirations,  it  will  be  creditable  only  as 
commemorating  the  virtues  of  the  dead  to  the  shame  of 
the  living !     With  the  blood  of  our  brethren  cementing 


40  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

its  granite,  and  their  bones  serving  for  its  foundation- 
stones,  the  holiest  associations  of  this  hour  and  presence 
enjoin  upon  us  loyalty,  justice  and  truth  ! 

The  response  of  Alderman  Slack  was  followed  by  the 
Band's  playing  "  Rest,  Spirit,  Rest ! "  and  the  hymn, 
"Our  Native  Land,"  by  the  choir  of  children,  —  the 
latter  as  follows : 

HYMN. 

Brothers,  to  our  native  land 
Let  us  vow  both  heart  and  hand ! 
Let  it  be  our  keenest  pleasure  ; 
Let  it  be  our  dearest  treasure  ! 
We  will  ever  bravely  stand 
To  protect  our  native  land. 

And  though  many  a  heart  may  break, 
Struggling  for  its  glory's  sake, 
Still  our  pure  and  holy  fire 
Never,  never  can  expire  ! 
We  will  ever  bravely  stand 
To  protect  our  native  land. 

The  Chaplain,  Rev.  Mr.  Cud  worth,  then  pronounced 
the  following  Benediction : 

BENEDICTION  OF  REV.  MR.  CUDWORTH. 

May  God,  the  Father  over  all,  through  all,  and  in  us 
all,  accept  the  act  and  utterances  of  this  day  and  place, 
and  henceforth  vouchsafe  his  blessing  unto  our  country 
and  all  her  children  to  the  end  of  time.     Amen ! 

The  services  of  dedication  were  closed  with  this  bene- 
diction. 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  41 

The  large  company  then  sought  the  various  convey- 
ances for  their  homes,  Gilmore's  Band  generously  fur- 
nishing appropriate  music  while  the  participants  were 
leaving  the  grounds. 


APPENDIX. 

The  following  letters  were  received  from  those,  spe- 
cially invited,  who  were  unable  to  be  present  on  the 
occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  monument : 

#  Boston,  July  2,  1867. 
C.  W.  Slack  and  C.  Caverly,  Jr.,  Esqs. 

Gentlemen  :  I  regret  exceedingly  my  inability  to  accept  your 
kind  and  thoughtful  invitation  to  be  present  to-morrow  afternoon 
at  the  consecration  of  the  monument  at  Mount  Hope  Cemetery. 

As  one  of  the  Trustees  from  its  purchase  by  the  city  for  a 
period  of  seven  years,  I  shall  ever  feel  a  just  degree  of  pride  in 
all  efforts  which  are  made  by  the  city  to  adorn  and  beautify  the 
same,  and  thus  render  it  attractive  to  our  citizens  generally. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

BRADLEY   N.   CUMINGS. 


Boston,  July  1,  1867. 
Chas.  W.  Slack,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

My  Dear  Sir  :  I  beg  to  thank  you  for  an  invitation  to  attend 
the  dedication  of  the  Soldiers'  and  Sailors'  Monument  at  Mount 
Hope.     Residing  out  of  the  city,  at  present,  it  will  not  be  con- 


42  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

venient  for  me  to  attend,  —  a  matter  of  little  importance  to  any- 
one but  myself. 

Having  had  the  honor  to  serve  with  you  on  the  Committee 
charged  with  the  supervision  of  the  erection  of  the  monument,  I 
am  happy  to  congratulate  you  on  the  successful  completion  of 
this  act  of  municipal  duty. 

Long  after  you  and  I,  and  our  associates  in  the  City  Govern- 
ment, shall  be  forgotten,  this  granite  shaft  will  receive  the  hom- 
age of  millions  yet  unborn,  who  will  regard  it,  not  merely  as 
marking  the  resting-place  of  a  few  of  the  brave  men  who  gave 
their  lives  to  their  country,  but  as  an  object  commemorating  the 
severest  struggle  for  liberty  the  world  has  ever  known. 

Repeating  my  thanks  for  your  kind  attention, 
I  am  yours  truly, 

JOHN  S.  TYLER. 


Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts, 

Office  of  Surgeon- General, 

Boston,  July  1,  1867. 

Hon.  Charles  W.  Slack,  Charles  Caverly,  Jr.,  Esq., 

Committee  on  Invitations,  City  of  Boston. 

Gentlemen:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  kind  invitation  to  attend  and  take  part  in  the  dedicatory 
ceremonies  of  the  monument  commemorative  of  the  sailors  and 
soldiers  who  fell  in  defence  of  their  country  during  the  late  war. 
Having  been  brought  in  close  contact  with  the  families  of  those 
who  thus  gloriously  fell,  I  have  had  full  opportunity  to  judge  of 
the  cheerfulness  of  the  sacrifices  which  actuated  our  soldiers, 
and  the  patient  resignation  of  those  who  have  survived  them. 

My  interest  and  sympathy  for  those  who  have  suffered  is  still 
keen  and  sincere;  and  for  this  reason  I  regret  that  circum- 
Rtances  prevent  the  acceptance  of  your  kind  invitation.     I  am, 


SOLDIERS7    AND    SAILORS'    MONUMENT.  43 

however,  glad  of  the  opportunity  through  you  of  bearing  my 
record  to  the  cordial  and  cheerful  cooperation  the  City  of  Bos- 
ton gave  me  during  the  war  and  since,  in  all  measures  originated 
and  carried  out  for  the  relief  of  those  who  suffered  in  the  good 
cause. 

It  is  also  pleasurable  to  recall  the  pleasant  relations  existing 
between  this  department  and  the  city  government  during  and 
since  the  war,  and  I  thank  them  for  all  the  kindly  courtesies 
extended  to  me. 

With  sentiments  of  personal  regards  for  the  committee, 
I  am,  gentlemen, 

Yery  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  J.  DALE, 

Surgeon-  General. 


Custom  House,  Surveyor's  Office, 
Boston,  July  1,  1867. 

Sirs  :  I  have  the  pleasure  of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your 
circular  of  June  28,  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Mount 
Hope  Cemetery,  inviting  me  to  attend  the  ceremonies  of  ded- 
ication of  a  monument  erected  by  the  city,  commemorative 
the  soldiers  and  sailors  from  Boston  who  lost  their  lives  in  the 
recent  war. 

I  feel  honored  by  the  invitation,  and  hope  it  will  ever  be  an 
honor  to  the  living  to  honor  such  noble  dead ;  and  I  shall  cer- 
tainly feel  it  a  privilege  as  well  as  a  solemn  duty  to  be  present 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  3d  if  I  possibly  can. 

I  knew  the  character  of  the  Boston  soldiers  who  fell  in  this 
war.  As  Captain  in  the  2d  Mass.  Infantry,  I  raised  a  Boston 
company  in  an  essentially  Boston  regiment.  As  Colonel  after- 
wards of  the  33d  Mass.  Infantry,  I  had  four  Boston  companies 


44  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 

under  my  command.  They  were  like  all  other  Massachusetts  men 
in  the  army,  substantially,  and  I  do  not  think  any  greater  com- 
pliment could  be  paid  them.  Massachusetts  men  were  especially 
relied  on  everywhere,  and  I  never  heard  of  a  case  where  their 
commanders  were  ever  disappointed  in  them ;  and  in  all  the  hard 
fought  battles  during  the  bloody  war,  where  they  proved  their 
bravery  and  their  manhood,  if  one  were  to  be  singled  out  where 
they  especially  earned  the  gratitude  of  the  country  I  think  it  was 
Gettysburg,  the  anniversary  of  which  you  so  fittingly  select  for 
these  dedicatory  services.  Any  one  who  was  in  that  great  battle 
as  I  had  the  fortune  to  be,  could  have  read  in  men's  faces  a  stern 
determination  to  win  a  victory  there  or  die.  Too  many,  alas ! 
had  to  die  before  the  victory  of  Gettysburg  was  won.  The  City 
of  Boston  does  well  to  commemorate  the  loss  of  such  men. 

I  thank  you  for  remembering  me  in  such  connection  with  my 
fallen  comrades. 

Truly  your  obedient  servant, 

A.  B.  UNDERWOOD, 
Late  Brevt.-Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  Vols. 

Hon.  Charles  W.  Slack, 

Charles  Caverly,  Jr.,  Esq., 

Committee,  etc. 


Boston,  July  2,  1867. 

I  My  Dear  Sir  :  I  very  much  regret  that  a  business  engage- 
ment out  of  the  city  to-morrow  will  prevent  me  from  accepting 
the  invitation  with  which  I  have  been  honored  by  your  committee 
to  attend  the  inauguration  of  the  Soldiers'  Monument,  erected 
by  the  City  of  Boston,  in  Mount  Hope  Cemetery.  No  city  in 
the  Union  responded  more  promptly  and  enthusiastically  to  the 
call  for  troops  to  defend  the  liberties  and  to  preserve  the  laws 
of  the  country,  at  the  outbreak  and  during  the  continuance  of  the 


soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument.  45 

recent  war,  than  did  Boston,  and  the  glorious  old  Commonwealth 
of  which  it  is  the  Capital.  The  Massachusetts  men  were  the 
first  to  shed  their  blood  in  the  maintenance  of  the  laws,  and  the 
first  organized  troops  to  reach  the  Capitol  of  the  nation  when 
it  was  in  peril  of  immediate  capture  by  the  rebels.  Of  the  valor, 
devotion  and  good  discipline  of  our  troops,  of  their  sacrifices, 
their  perils,  and  the  number  of  slain  where  the  fight  was  thickest 
and  the  danger  greatest,  impartial  history  will  preserve  a  record 
alike  honorable  to  them  and  to  the  city  and  state. 

The  people  without  distinction  were  spontaneous  and  untiring 
in  furnishing  every  necessity  and  comfort  for  the  soldiers  and 
sailors  in  service  and  in  hospitals  during  the  war ;  and  it  is  but 
the  common  dictate  of  humanity  and  gratitude,  that  every  pro- 
vision which  a  generous  community  can  make  should  be  employed 
to  take  care  of  the  remains,  and  to  perpetuate  the  memory,  of 
those  who  perished  in  the  common  cause  by  land  and  by  sea. 

No  citizen  will  grudge  the  pittance  of  expense  which  falls  to 
his  share  of  such  memorials ;  and  posterity  will  be  gainers  by 
having  a  spot  where  their  patriotism  may  be  refreshed  and  their 
loyalty  renewed  to  the  latest  generations.  It  is  only  necessary, 
in  order  that  we  may  have  a  foretaste  of  the  feelings  by  which 
they  will  be  inspired  when  visiting  the  resting-places  of  departed 
patriots,  at  Mount  Hope  and  elsewhere,  that  we  now  make  a 
brief  pilgrimage  to  Arlington  Heights,  or  the  Soldiers'  Rest  at 
Washington,  or  to  those  now  verdant  battle-fields,  with  their 
cemeteries  attached,  where  repose,  in  the  silence  of  death,, 
unnumbered  thousands  of  the  slain  ! 

By  all  means,  take  care  of  the  bodies  of  the  dead  soldiers  and 
sailors,  and  multiply  the  fitting  memorials  of  their  deeds. 
I  am,  dear  sir, 

Very  truly  yours, 

ALEX'R  H.  RICE. 

Hon.  Charles  W.  Slack, 

Chairman. 


46  soldiers'  and  sailors'  monument. 


Boston,  July  2,  1867. 
Charles  W.  Slack,  Esq. 

My  dear  Sir  :  I  trust  you  will  not  ascribe  my  absence  to- 
morrow from  the  ceremonies  at  Mount  Hope  Cemetery  to  any 
want  of  sympathy  with  the  occasion  or  with  the  government  of 
the  city. 

The  preservation  in  perpetual  memory  of  the  names  and  fate 
of  the  soldiers  and  sailors  who  fell  in  defence  of  their  country 
and  liberty  in  the  Great  Rebellion,  —  by  commemorative  monu- 
ments in  our  churches  and  other  places  sacred  to  religion  or  to 
patriotism,  —  is  most  becoming  in  the  survivors,  and  is  a  pious 
service  to  posterity.  The  dead  are  already  immortal.  May  the 
solemn  dedication  of  the  monument,  reared  to  the  men  of  Bos- 
ton who  fell  for  their  country,  renew  the  profound  impressions  of 
Gratitude  and  of  Duty  which  belong  to  the  recollection  of  their 
career !  and  may  the  column  which  bears  their  names  stand  a 
mute  witness,  to  a  thousand  generations,  of  the  beauty  and 
triumph  of  virtue! 

The  relation  I  bore  to  the  Commonwealth  during  the  war,  and 
the  intimate  association  I  enjoyed  with  the  leading  officers  of  its 
municipalities,  recall  to  my  mind,  and  prompt  an  allusion,  to  the 
cordial  sympathy  of  effort  and  feeling,  lasting  through  struggling 
and  weary  but  hopeful  years,  between  myself  and  the  gentleman 
who  has  so  recently  retired  from  the  mayoralty  of  Boston,  and 
who  must  contemplate  this  monument  with  peculiar  emotion. 

I  am,  with  faithful  regards,  yours, 

JOHN  A.  ANDREW. 


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